PEP, May 2010: Letters to the editor

Chile official thanks DC 37 for quake aid

The following letter was sent to DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts:

I learned through our fellow Chilean national, Mr. Juan Fernandez [the president of DC 37’s Amalgamated Professional Employees Local 154], about the decision approved by the DC 37 Executive Board to donate $5,000 as a contribution to help victims of the recent earthquake that so heavily struck Chile. In the name of the Government and the people of Chile, I would like to express to you and all the members of your organization our most sincere thanks for such a kind demonstration of solidarity and friendship.

The above-mentioned gesture is duly appreciated and constitutes a valued contribution that once again proves that union workers have no boundaries when the cry of help of fellow workers, where ever they may be, is heard. Your message is loud and clear and will never be forgotten.

Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration and personal esteem.

—Patricio Damm van der Valk
Consul General of Chile

Protect the civil service merit system, he says

Vetoing Florida’s Republican-sponsored teacher pay-tenure bill, which would have let principals fire teachers even for bad haircuts, was an act of courage on the part of Governor Charles Crist. It will certainly have a positive effect on his run for U.S. Senate.

Many moderates, independents and even liberals will join the teachers in voting for Charlie Crist.

I am not a teacher but I am interested in good education and good government.

I believe that the bill would have increased political influence in the school system. Without objective parameters, pay raises and tenure would have been subject to political influence based upon who makes the decisions.

We need good teachers, but I know that we cannot rely on the decisions of politicians and their appointees to be fair and objective.

The merit system is terrific and it should not be subject to political whim and favor.

—Ed Rudy
Retiree

Wants early out

Now would be an excellent time for all city employees age 55 and older to contact their unions and City Council members (http://council.nyc.gov/html/members/members.shtml) stating their preference for some type of buyout or early-retirement incentive plan, in the hope of minimizing layoffs of their younger fellow employees.

This would not only save jobs, but also help the city by immediately reducing operating costs and appease the public by reducing the municipal work-force.

The arguments that it’s too costly or that older folks will retire anyway are just not true. Older tier 4 workers putting off retirement for three years would increase their pensions by 4.5% anyway. Please note the additional costs of unemployment insurance and lost income tax revenue by laying off city employees instead of persuading several thousand older high-salaried workers to leave.

Tell your union and city representatives that precedent (2002 buyout), need and logic dictate such an offer.

—Mark Shoenfield
CSII, Local 2627

No fingerprints needed for Food Stamps

It is always good to hear that a group of workers is getting organized. In the case of finger-imaging workers, I hope that the workers, once unionized, will join the fight to end the finger imaging of men and women who receive public
assistance. According to the NY Coalition Against Hunger, finger imaging costs the city $800,000 a year, and is not necessary since there is virtually no overpayment error in the Food Stamp program. Only New York City and three states require finger imaging of food stamp recipients.

Finger imaging is nothing more than one more hassle for low-income New Yorkers and their children. It is demeaning, since HRA makes it very clear that it fingerprints the recipient because it doesn’t trust the recipient. The finger-imaging workers could use their union power to do their job in an agency where the requirement is useful.

—Diane Pagen
Pediatric Social Worker, Local 768